It started out as a bit of a light-hearted suggestion, but it quickly grew into something that was definitely going to happen. A group of blondes, some who had never run before, decided they were going to run the Berlin Marathon.
The two definites were kinboshi and gatso. We all know kinboshi has been running for quite a few years now and he's bored us with his tales of previous marathons and running endeavours in the past (almost as much as he's bored us with tales of his poker tournament victories, and disdain for homeopathy, the Catholic Church, Stewart Downing and Internet Explorer) but the idea of gatso running surprised a few who hadn't seen him for a year or so. I think it's fair to say that those who've met gatso at the poker table or at blonde Bashes over the years wouldn't have thought that he cut the figure of the typical runner. Here he was at blonde Bash 8:
However, since then gatso has become a very dedicated runner who not only now looks the part, but now manages to clock times for 10K, half-marathon and marathons that are the envy of most club runners. He still needs a haircut though.
Joining gatso and kinboshi was enigmatically nick-named StuartHopkin (otherwise known to his friends as Stuart Hopkin). This raised a few eyebrows, as Stuart had previously only ever been seen to move at anything approaching a jog when last orders was called at the bar. This is a man known for his marathon drinking session, usually involving copious amounts of Guinness rather than his fondness for Lucozade Sport and energy gels.
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Anyway, despite the ribbing from the doubters he was stoic: "I've never failed at anything bud".
Joining StuartHopkin (aka Stuart Hopkin) was another n00b, and the token bird on the team - Claw75. Again, not known for her athleticism, it's probably fair to say that Claire has spent more hours near a bar than she has pounding the pavements of Ruislip in training.
Here she is doing an activity she's more renowned for:
There were the doubters, but Claire was determined to do it - and so embarked on her training (well, she drew up a plan).
There was one more member of this crack-unit. Again, a surprise to many probably most of all to himself: BAM (aka Brian Martin or Mr Happy):
(we've spared you the APAT trophy photo, which is probably best for all).
So that was the 'team' and with a good year to prepare there was really no excuse for anyone not to be ready for the marathon that took place on 30 September. Well, apart from injuries, illness and general laziness.
We followed their exploits here:
http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=55453.0All that aside, they all got out there (Brian managed to do his longest training run during the week before the run - not sure that's in the manual) and everyone completed all of the 26 miles and 385 yards of the course. It truly shows that if you want to do something, such as run a marathon, then if these bunch of reprobates can manage it - so can you.
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Now where are my running shoes...
editors note: I would like to thank Kinboshi, God and the inventor of Lycra non rub running support shorts for their contribution to this article 
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